ATM switch with electrically-controlled waveguide-routing
AssigneeDeacon Research
InventorsDavid A. G. Deacon, William K. Bischel, Michael J. Brinkman, Simon J. Field
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Abstract
Optical energy transfer devices and energy guiding devices arranged in an array use an electric field to control energy propagation. The energy transfer devices and guiding devices use a class of poled structures in solid material to realize a high-speed matrix switch, such as is known as an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch used for routing communication signals. The poled structures, which may form gratings or total internal reflection devices, are combined with waveguide structures. Electric fields applied to the poled structures control routing of optical energy.
Claims14
A beam routing device operative as a switch for optical beams between an array of positions comprising:
- at least a first waveguide segment traversing a solid material along a plane of said solid material;
- a plurality of second waveguide segments traversing said solid material along said plane, said second waveguide segments encountering said first waveguide segment adjacent a plurality of intersections;
- and
- electrically controllable optical energy redirector means disposed near said intersection and controlled by at least a first electrode to controllably redirect optical energy between said first waveguide segment and selected said second waveguide segments upon application of an electric field adjacent selected ones of said intersections;
- a plurality of electrodes confronting said solid material adjacent said intersections;
- and
- electrical contacts coupled to said electrodes for electrical connection with a potential source for selectively controlling electric fields of said electrically controllable grating means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.